Coffee and dessert cafe opens in Hendersonville

Owner Richie Burlett and his sister Megan Corn stand in their store, Cool Beans, which features coffee, frozen custard and other treats.

PATRICK SULLIVAN/T-N

By Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, April 5, 2013 at 4:06 p.m.

Folks craving coffee, frozen custard and dessert now have a new destination at the south end of Hendersonville at Cool Beans.

Richie Burlett opened the eatery in a two-story, burgundy building with a white picket fence at 1197 Greenville Highway early last month. A grand opening was held March 31.

“We had a very good turnout,” Burlett said, sitting in the cafe with photos of his grandfather hanging on the wall. Cliff Shipman, a lifelong resident of Henderson County and successful entrepreneur, started several businesses in the area including one of the city's first fast-food restaurants, Hasty Tasty, in 1954 off of Asheville Highway. He passed away in 2010.

Burlett said his grandfather always wanted to open a coffee and dessert cafe.

“He had a vision of what he wanted to do and we wanted to fulfill that vision,” he added.

Burlett owns Cool Beans with his wife, Christie, and they reside in Hendersonville with their son and daughter, 5-year-old Aidan and 3-year-old Molly.

“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to own Cool Beans,” Burlett said.

And the couple pays their rewards forward. A tip jar sits on the counter at Cool Beans, and proceeds go to the community. They recently donated money to Clear Word Counseling Center at Mud Creek, a Christian nonprofit organization.

Customers can order a variety of coffee and espresso, frozen custards, smoothies and other beverages. An outdoor porch invites visitors to enjoy their treat as they look out onto a grassy courtyard that will host live music on weekends. The restaurant also brings in bagels from Joey's Bagels fresh on a daily basis, sandwiches and salads from Chef Starr To Go, coffee from Storehouse Coffee Co. and other items from local businesses.

First and foremost, Burlett takes his grandfather's advice, as Shipman owned several businesses in the food industry including The Chariot and Clifton's Cafeteria.

“Have great service, a great quality product and a clean facility,” Burlett said.

Cool Beans is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit Cool Beans' Facebook page or call 828-551-7498.

<p>Folks craving coffee, frozen custard and dessert now have a new destination at the south end of Hendersonville at Cool Beans.</p><p>Richie Burlett opened the eatery in a two-story, burgundy building with a white picket fence at 1197 Greenville Highway early last month. A grand opening was held March 31.</p><p>“We had a very good turnout,” Burlett said, sitting in the cafe with photos of his grandfather hanging on the wall. Cliff Shipman, a lifelong resident of Henderson County and successful entrepreneur, started several businesses in the area including one of the city's first fast-food restaurants, Hasty Tasty, in 1954 off of Asheville Highway. He passed away in 2010.</p><p>Burlett said his grandfather always wanted to open a coffee and dessert cafe.</p><p>“He had a vision of what he wanted to do and we wanted to fulfill that vision,” he added. </p><p>Burlett owns Cool Beans with his wife, Christie, and they reside in Hendersonville with their son and daughter, 5-year-old Aidan and 3-year-old Molly.</p><p>“We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to own Cool Beans,” Burlett said.</p><p>And the couple pays their rewards forward. A tip jar sits on the counter at Cool Beans, and proceeds go to the community. They recently donated money to Clear Word Counseling Center at Mud Creek, a Christian nonprofit organization.</p><p>Customers can order a variety of coffee and espresso, frozen custards, smoothies and other beverages. An outdoor porch invites visitors to enjoy their treat as they look out onto a grassy courtyard that will host live music on weekends. The restaurant also brings in bagels from Joey's Bagels fresh on a daily basis, sandwiches and salads from Chef Starr To Go, coffee from Storehouse Coffee Co. and other items from local businesses.</p><p>First and foremost, Burlett takes his grandfather's advice, as Shipman owned several businesses in the food industry including The Chariot and Clifton's Cafeteria.</p><p>“Have great service, a great quality product and a clean facility,” Burlett said.</p><p>Cool Beans is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit Cool Beans' Facebook page or call 828-551-7498.</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>